Water beads are fast becoming a great tool for children's sensory play. With their bright colours, squishy texture, and bouncy material - what more could your little one want to play with?
What are water beads?
If you're unsure what water beads are, we're here to help. They're essentially water-absorbing polymers that start out as small pellets but expand when you add water to them.
Traditionally, florists use water beads in arrangements to collect excess moisture while also adding a colourful, decorative element. However, parents soon discovered that they can be used for a lot more than just flower arranging.
Are water beads safe for toddlers?
No, water beads are not safe for toddlers. Because of their small size they can be a choking hazard with the risk of getting stuck in throats, ears and noses. They also swell up when exposed to liquid and can create a blockage in a child's body if swallowed. For that reason, the Office for Product Safety and Standards issued a Safety Alert in 2024 to warn of the risks that water beads can pose to children and vulnerable adults.
They advise that water beads should be kept away from children under 5 years of age, and only used with older children or vulnerable adults under close supervision. The Child Accident Prevention Trust agrees, saying, “The message from this alert is clear, water beads should not be used in childcare settings or at home for children under 5. It’s almost impossible to use water beads safely with young children. The risks are just too high. If you suspect a child has inhaled or swallowed a water bead, or has one stuck in their nose or ear, seek medical help immediately.”
What are the benefits of water bead sensory play?
If your child is older than five and you're able to supervise them closely, water beads can be fun to play with and could aid their development and learning. When you use water beads as part of sensory play, your child will build on their fine motor skills and improve their hand-eye coordination and control.
As the water beads tend to come in a variety of colours, they are ideal for teaching colour recognition. You can also use them to aid your child with number recognition and counting skills.
If your child has sensory needs, playing with water beads will introduce them to new textures as they experience the beads' soft, squashy, and rubber-like feel. The video below showcases some things you can do with water beads for sensory play to engage and stimulate your kiddos.
Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.